Flexible and Adjustable Alignment Apparatus

ABSTRACT

A flexible and adjustable alignment apparatus that extends transversely across the length of a deck surface for aligning, spacing, and restraining individual boards on the surface prior to fastening the boards in a desired configuration. The apparatus aligns along the full length of the ground surface so as to position a plurality of spaced-apart, elongated spacers between the gaps of adjacent deck boards. In this manner, multiple panels can be spaced at one time, as the apparatus extends along the full length of the surface and positions the spacers consecutively. Additionally, the spacers, either individually, or all together, can be detached from the strap or moved to any point along the longitudinal axis of the apparatus to adjust the distance between each spacer. The capacity to adjustably move the spacers along the strap enables better conformance to variously sized and dimensioned boards.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a flexible and adjustable alignment apparatus. More so, the present invention provides a flexible and adjustable alignment apparatus that extends transversely across the length of a ground surface for aligning, spacing, and restraining individual panels above a substructure frame by positioning adjustable spacers in the gaps between the panels prior to fastening the panels in a desired configuration.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following background information may present examples of specific aspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts, or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon.

It is recognized that exterior wooden decks provide a stable and decorative surface for walking across. The wooden deck comprises a plurality of wooden boards, often 5/4″×6″ or 2″×6″ in nominal height and thickness, that extend transversely across wooden support members. The wood boards that form the surface of the deck are made from treated lumber, composite lumber, composite material, aluminum, western red cedar, teak, mahogany, and other hardwoods and recycled planks.

Wood has a natural tendency to expand and contract based on the ambient temperature, the ambient humidity, and/or other the weather parameters. In order to compensate for the expansion and contraction tendencies, wood decking is laid such that an expansion gap is created between independent members. This expansion gap provides the necessary clearance for the wood boards to move, or slide, therebetween to prevent buckling of the deck surface. For construction of decks and docks, it is imperative to leave space between the wood beams to allow for expansion and contraction of the boards as well as to allow for water and debris to escape between the boards.

Typically, various techniques have been used to create such an expansion gap. Often, a speed square that has a wedge shaped face of a specified thickness (¼″ for example) is pressed between two deck boards to create a desired space. Alternatively, construction nails can be used as a means to create the desired uniform gap between the wood deck boards. Another common practice is the use of washers placed between two adjacent deck boards. However, one of the biggest drawbacks with washers is that they are simply awkward to use. For example, washers are not easy to remove and can roll or become dislodged. Since washers are not easy to remove, many deck installers attempt to use a minimal amount of washers to create the expansion gap. As a result, bowing along the expansion gap is sometimes formed.

Another issue is that the width of the wood deck boards can vary due to style or deformations in the wood decking. This restricts the use of a standard tool that is configured for a single board size.

Even though the above deck board spacing tools address some of the needs of the market, a flexible and adjustable alignment apparatus that spaces the gaps between wood deck boards and adjustably moves the spacers to compensate for various deck board sizes is needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed towards a flexible and adjustable alignment apparatus that extends transversely across the length of a deck's substructure surface for aligning, spacing, and restraining individual deck boards prior to fastening the decking in a desired configuration. The apparatus aligns along the full length of the deck surface so as to position a plurality of spaced-apart, elongated spacers between the gaps of adjacent deck boards. Thus, the boards are spaced relative to each other to form a desired spacing and alignment. In this manner, multiple deck boards can be spaced at once, as the apparatus extends along the full length of the deck surface and positions the spacers consecutively.

Additionally, the spacers, either individually, or all together, can be detached from the strap or moved to any point along the longitudinal axis of the apparatus to adjust the distance between each spacer. The capacity to adjustably move the spacers along the strap enables better conformance to variously sized and dimensioned panels and the distance between gaps for adjacent panels.

The apparatus may include a strap having sufficient resiliency and flexible characteristics so as to bend, fold, and stretch to conform to variously sized and dimensioned deck surfaces, and also to facilitate stowage and portability. The strap, generally, extends transversely across the length of the decking surface, for example, a dock walkway made up of multiple wooden deck boards. In one embodiment, two straps spaced parallel to each other may be used to align the deck boards in a uniform parallel arrangement along the length of the deck surface. The surface may include, without limitation, a deck, a dock, a wall, and any hybrid platform.

In some embodiments, the strap may include a first end and a second end that define a longitudinal axis of the strap. The ends can extend towards opposite directions, or fold in to meet for storage and portability. The strap may also include a spacer side and an external side. The external side is generally smooth, so as to minimize obstructing traffic on the ground surface. The spacer side includes a plurality of elongated, spaced-apart spacers that detachably fasten, and extend along the longitudinal axis of the spacer side.

In some embodiments, the spacers are sized and dimensioned to wedge between each board, and thus create a gap having substantially the same width as the spacer. The spacers are substantially rigid, so as to create a barrier that can restrict adjacent boards from engaging. The distance between each spacer is adjustable so as to compensate for variously sized and dimensioned deck boards. In this manner, the boards can be aligned straight, measured, and finally fastened into place while maintaining the boards parallel and uniform. After the panels are fastened, the apparatus may be removed by pulling the strap, which, in effect, results in the spacers being pulled from between the gaps.

A first aspect of the present invention provides a flexible alignment apparatus for aligning, spacing, and restraining individual panels on a ground surface, comprising:

-   -   a strap comprising a resilient composition,     -   the strap comprising a first end and a second end, the first and         second end defining a longitudinal axis of the strap,     -   the strap further comprising an external side, the external side         comprising a substantially smooth surface,     -   the strap further comprising a spacer side, the spacer side         comprising a plurality of spaced-apart spacers, the plurality of         spacers configured to detach from the spacer side, the plurality         of spacers further configured to attach to the spacer side at         any point along the longitudinal axis of the strap.

In a second aspect, the at least one strap comprises a nylon or rubber composition.

In another aspect, the plurality of spacers comprises substantially elongated, rectangular spacers.

In yet another aspect, the plurality of spacers are disposed equidistant from each other along the longitudinal axis of the at least one strap.

In another aspect, the strap comprises a plurality of ring support members disposed to extend transversely across the longitudinal axis of the at least one strap.

In another aspect, the plurality of ring support members are configured to form a rigid foundation for fastening the plurality of spacers.

In another aspect, the plurality of ring support members comprise grommets.

In yet another aspect, the plurality of spacers are fastened into the plurality of ring support members with a screw.

In yet another aspect, the strap is configured to extend along the length of a deck surface.

In yet another aspect, the deck surface comprises a plurality of adjacent deck boards.

In yet another aspect, the plurality of deck boards comprises a 5/4″×6″ wood deck board.

In yet another aspect, the plurality of deck boards comprises a 2″×6″ wood deck board.

One objective of the present invention is to form uniform, parallel boards while laying a deck surface.

Another objective is to fill the gaps between deck boards quickly and efficiently with spacers that transversely extend across the length of the surface to fill the gaps without requiring bending and kneeling. This results in a faster, more efficient method for spacing the boards as well as removal of the spacers after deck board fastening.

Another objective is to space multiple boards at once, without having to individually space the boards parallel to each other.

Another objective is to provide two, parallel straps that maintain deck boards parallel to each other.

Another objective is to adjust the position of the spacers along the longitudinal axis of the strap to compensate for boards of various widths and types.

Another objective is to enable repositioning of the spacers along the spacer side with minimal tools or skills.

Another objective is to manufacture the alignment apparatus with inexpensive materials.

These and other advantages of the invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following written specification, claims and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary alignment apparatus engaging gaps between adjacent panels, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart diagram of an exemplary method for aligning, spacing, and restraining a plurality of panels on a ground surface with a flexible alignment apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “rear,” “right,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

FIG. 1 illustrates a frontal view of an exemplary flexible and adjustable alignment apparatus 100. In one embodiment of the present invention, a flexible and adjustable alignment apparatus 100 comprises a strap 102 that extends transversely across the length of a surface 114 for aligning, spacing, and restraining a plurality of boards 116 114 prior to fastening the boards 116 in a desired configuration. The strap 102 may be extended along the full length of the ground surface 114 so as to position a plurality of spaced-apart, elongated spacers 112 between gaps 118 of adjacent panels 116. By enabling the strap 102 to extend along the length of the deck surface, the spacers 112 can engage multiple gaps 118 simultaneously, and thus the boards 116 can be aligned and fastened in one operation.

Furthermore, the spacers 112, either individually, or all together, can be detached from their position on the strap 102 or moved to any point along the longitudinal axis of the strap 102 to adjust the distance between each spacer 112. The capacity to adjustably move the spacers 112 along the strap 102 enables better conformance to variously sized and dimensioned boards 116 and the distance between gaps 118 for adjacent boards 116.

In one possible embodiment, the apparatus 100 provides a board spacing tool for use in laying wood deck surfaces, which can be wedged between adjacent wood floor boards and subsequently removed in a manner which minimizes, if not eliminates, the formation of imperfections in or damage to the new decking upon removal of such tool. The apparatus 100 can be rolled out along the length of the wood deck surface, aligning a single spacer 112 between each gap 118 formed by adjacent wood deck boards. The spacers 112 are detached and reattached along any point along the apparatus 100 to conform to variations in wood board widths and deformations in the wood.

The apparatus 100 may include a strap 102 having sufficient resiliency and flexible characteristics so as to bend, fold, and stretch to conform to variously sized and dimensioned surfaces 114, and also to facilitate stowage and portability. Suitable materials for the strap 102 may include, without limitation, nylon, rubber, and a flexible polymer. This resiliency enables the strap 102 to be rolled up into a compact configuration when not in use, and simply rolled out over the deck surface 114 for use.

The strap 102, generally, extends transversely across the length of the ground surface 114. In one embodiment, two straps 102, which are spaced-apart and parallel to each other, may be used to align the panels 116 in a uniform parallel arrangement along the length of the surface 114. In one embodiment, the surface 114 may include a wooden deck made up of multiple wooden deck boards. The surface 114 may also include, without limitation, a deck, a dock, a wall, and a hybrid platform.

In some embodiments, the strap 102 may include a first end 104 and a second end 106 that define a longitudinal axis of the strap 102. The strap 102 can have a length that is sufficient to extend along the full length of the deck surface 114. In one alternative embodiment, multiple straps 102 can be connected together to provide the alignment functions for the boards 116 when the deck surface is exceptionally long. The first end 104 and the second end 106 of the strap 102 can extend towards opposite directions, or fold in to meet for storage and portability.

The strap 102 may also include a spacer side 108 and an external side 110. The external side 110 is generally smooth, so as to minimize obstructing traffic on the ground surface 114. In one embodiment, the external side 110 comprises a fluorescent color to enhance visibility. The spacer side 108 includes a plurality of elongated, spaced-apart spacers 112 that detachably fasten, and extend along the longitudinal axis of the spacer side 108. The spacers 112 may be generally rectangular and elongated.

In some embodiments, the spacers 112 are sized and dimensioned to wedge between each board, and thus create a gap 118 between the deck boards 116 having substantially the same width as the spacer 112. The spacers 112 are substantially rigid, so as to create a barrier that can restrict adjacent boards 116 from engaging. While the spacers 112 are engaged between the boards 116, the boards 116 may be fastened to form a fixed deck surface 114, through various means, including, without limitation, nailing, gluing, frictional force, and sliding into grooves. After the boards 116 are fastened, the strap 102 may be removed by pulling, removing the spacers 112 affixed to the strap from between the gaps 118.

The distance between each spacer 112 is adjustable so as to compensate for variously sized and dimensioned boards 116. The width of the spacer 112 may also be adjusted by replacement. For example, replacing a ⅛″ wide spacer with a ¼″ spacer to create a different look, or to compensate for expansion and retraction of wood. By enabling the spacers 112 to be detached and moved to any point along the spacer side 108, the boards 116 can be aligned straight, measured, and finally fastened into place while maintaining the boards 116 in a parallel and uniform alignment.

In one embodiment, the spacers 112 are fastened to the strap 102 through a plurality of ring support members (not shown) that are disposed to extend transversely across the longitudinal axis of the at least one strap 102. The plurality of ring support members are configured to form a rigid foundation for fastening the plurality of spacers 112 to the strap 102. The plurality of ring support members may include grommets. However, in other embodiments, the spacers 112 may be adjustably and detachably fastened to the spacer side 108 through magnets, rails, screws, or hook and loop fastening.

FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart diagram of an exemplary method 200 for aligning, spacing, and restraining a plurality of boards 116 on a deck surface 114 with a flexible alignment apparatus 100. The method 200 comprises extending a strap 102 transversely across the length of a surface 114 for aligning, spacing, and restraining individual deck boards 116 on the deck surface 114 prior to fastening the boards 116 in a desired configuration.

The method 200 may include an initial Step 202 of positioning a plurality of boards 116 to form a surface 114. The surface 114 may include wooden deck boards that form a deck made up of multiple wooden boards. The method 200 may further comprise a Step 204 of spacing the plurality of boards 116 in approximate parallel alignment. The panels 116 can be approximated in a rough alignment initially.

A Step 206 includes extending at least one strap 102 along the length of the surface 114, wherein a spacer side 108 faces the surface 114. The strap 102 is sufficiently flexible to roll out and stretch to conform to the orientation of the surface 114. In some embodiments, a Step 208 comprises detaching a spacer 112 from the surface side and reattaching the spacer 112 at a point along the longitudinal axis of the at least one strap 102. Additionally, the distance between each spacer 112 is adjustable so as to compensate for variously sized and dimensioned deck boards 116, or deformations or irregularities in the decking 116. The width of the spacer 112 may also be adjusted by replacement.

A Step 210 includes positioning a plurality of spacers 112 at least partially inside gaps 118 between adjacent boards 116. The spacers 112 are sized and dimensioned to wedge between each board 116, and thus create a gap 118 between the panels 116 having substantially the same width as the spacer 112. In some embodiments, the spacers 112 are substantially rigid, so as to create a barrier that can restrict adjacent boards 116 from engaging.

In some embodiments, a Step 212 may include spacing the plurality of boards 116 in a uniform, parallel relation with respect to the plurality of spacers 112. The panels 116 are tightened around the spacers 112. While the spacers 112 are engaged between the panels 116, the panels 116 may be fastened to form a deck surface 114, through various means, including, without limitation, nailing, gluing, frictional force, and sliding into grooves. A final Step 214 includes removing the spacers 112 from the gaps 118. This may easily be performed by pulling the strap 102 along the length of the deck surface. The flexible characteristics of the strap 102 make the apparatus 100 stowable and reusable.

Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalence. 

What I claim is:
 1. A flexible alignment apparatus for aligning, spacing, and restraining a plurality of panels on a surface, comprising: at least one strap comprising a resilient composition, the at least one strap comprising a first end and a second end, the first end and the second end defining a longitudinal axis of the strap, the at least one strap further comprising an external side, the external side comprising a substantially smooth surface, the at least one strap further comprising a spacer side, the spacer side comprising a plurality of spaced-apart spacers, the plurality of spacers configured to detach from the spacer side, the plurality of spacers further configured to attach to the spacer side at any point along the longitudinal axis of the at least one strap.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one strap comprises a nylon or rubber composition.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of spacers comprises substantially elongated, rectangular spacers.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of spacers are disposed equidistant from each other along the longitudinal axis of the at least one strap.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of spacers is composed of spacers of user-defined thicknesses.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the strap comprises a series of grommets secured to the centerline of the strap for securement of spacers.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the plurality of spacers are fastened into the plurality of grommets with a screw.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one strap is configured to extend along the length of a ground surface.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ground surface comprises a plurality of panels.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of panels comprises a 5/4″×6″ wood board.
 11. A method for aligning, spacing, and restraining a plurality of panels on a ground surface with a flexible alignment apparatus, the method comprising: positioning a plurality of panels to form a ground surface; spacing the plurality of panels in approximate parallel alignment; extending at least one strap along the length of the ground surface, wherein a spacer side faces the ground surface; detaching a spacer from the surface side and reattaching the spacer at a point along the longitudinal axis of the at least one strap; positioning a plurality of spacers at least partially inside gaps between adjacent panels; spacing the plurality of panels in a uniform, parallel relation with respect to the plurality of spacers; and removing the spacers from the gaps.
 12. The method of claim 12, further including fastening the plurality of panels to form the ground surface.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one strap comprises a nylon or rubber composition.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the plurality of spacers comprises substantially elongated, rectangular spacers.
 15. The method of claim 12, wherein the plurality of spacers are disposed equidistant from each other along the longitudinal axis of the at least one strap.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the strap comprises a series of grommets secured to the centerline of the strap for securement of spacers.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the plurality of spacers are fastened into the plurality of ring support members with a screw. 